October 15, 2020, 7:30 pm
China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Much Ado about What?
David Bachman
Henry M. Jackson Professor of International Studies
Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the signature foreign policy program of Xi Jinping. The US government and many foreign policy analysts see it as China’s new grand strategy, designed to increase China’s global clout, undermine US alliances, and make countries dependent on China through “debt traps.” Others take a more nuanced view. China is supplying money and infrastructure projects that some countries can’t get from international organizations and lenders. China is responding to requests from countries as much as it is imposing its plan on them. And while Chinese lending might increase the debt of some countries, China has no more ability to collect on what it is owed than any other country. This program will discuss these and other aspects of BRI and link this to current views of China around the world, and especially in the US.
The Olympia World Affairs Council invites you to its October 15 meeting-by-Zoom, 7:30 to 9 pm, free and open to the public.
To join the Zoom meeting by video, follow these steps:
St. Martin’s University and The Evergreen State College
For more information: olywac@yahoo.com , www.olympiawac.org or www.facebook.com/OlympiaWorldAffairsCouncilOlympia
China’s Belt and Road Initiative: Much Ado about What?
David Bachman
Henry M. Jackson Professor of International Studies
Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington
China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is the signature foreign policy program of Xi Jinping. The US government and many foreign policy analysts see it as China’s new grand strategy, designed to increase China’s global clout, undermine US alliances, and make countries dependent on China through “debt traps.” Others take a more nuanced view. China is supplying money and infrastructure projects that some countries can’t get from international organizations and lenders. China is responding to requests from countries as much as it is imposing its plan on them. And while Chinese lending might increase the debt of some countries, China has no more ability to collect on what it is owed than any other country. This program will discuss these and other aspects of BRI and link this to current views of China around the world, and especially in the US.
The Olympia World Affairs Council invites you to its October 15 meeting-by-Zoom, 7:30 to 9 pm, free and open to the public.
To join the Zoom meeting by video, follow these steps:
- Click on or use the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2338112341?
- Password: world
- Meeting ID: 233 811 2341
- dial the number: +1 253 215 8782 (Tacoma)
- be prepared to enter the Meeting ID and to enter the password: world
St. Martin’s University and The Evergreen State College
For more information: olywac@yahoo.com , www.olympiawac.org or www.facebook.com/OlympiaWorldAffairsCouncilOlympia